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      Newcastle looking to snap up Ivan Fresneda in January transfer but only want to pay half Real Valladolid’s asking price

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      NEWCASTLE are hoping to sign Ivan Fresneda from Real Valladolid but the fee they may have to pay is double what the Magpies value him at, according to reports.The 18-year-old is seen as a top prospect and a number of clubs are monitoring him.
      Ivan Fresneda has impressed in LaLigaCredit: Getty
      Fresneda has a contract at the Spanish side until 2025, however his deal includes a £26million release clause.
      Newcastle are “serious” about signing him, claim Radio Marca Valladolid.
      But the Premier League side value him between £8million and £13million.
      The Toon are interested in signing the right-back in January, then loaning him back to the club owned by Brazilian legend Ronaldo.
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      It is unclear if this is something Real Valladolid would accept.
      The club have admitted they could sell players but want to keep their squad as it is as they look to stay in the top-flight.
      Arsenal are reportedly tracking Fresneda too.
      He has played for the first-team on seven occasions this season and only nine times in his career overall.
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      Although he has impressed in the youth team and for Spain’s Under-19 side.
      As a kid, Fresneda was on the books of Real Madrid, but he left in 2018.

      He is not the only player Newcastle are interested from Real Valladolid, having also been reportedly looking at 22-year-old winger Gonzalo Plata.
      The Ecuadorian played in all three matches for his country at the World Cup. More

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      Isco ‘RIPS UP Sevilla contract after just four disastrous months with ex-Real Madrid star on hunt for new club’

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      ISCO is set to leave Sevilla only four months after signing for the club, dramatic reports suggests. The midfielder had been trying to find his feet at a new club after a difficult few years at Real Madrid.
      Isco’s unpredictable career could be set to take another turnCredit: Rex
      But his move to Sevilla has not gone to plan and the six-times Europa League winners find themselves in the relegation zone after 14 games.
      The manager Julen Lopetegui, who is believed to have been a close ally of Isco, was sacked in October after the club’s poor start to the season.
      And now the 30-year-old could himself be on the way out, according to Marca.
      Despite signing a two-year contract as recently as August, the star could reportedly rip up his contract after a breakdown in relationship with senior club figures.
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      The Spanish publication report he is in “open conflict” with director of football Monchi.
      They reported last month: “Tension is palpable in each training. And Isco let Monchi know that he was at Sevilla at Lopetegui’s request, not because Monchi himself wanted his signing.”
      It represents a big challenge to current Sevilla boss Jorge Sampaoli who is looking to stop the club being relegated for the first time since 1997.
      Isco had been a regular starter in the team and appeared in 12 of their 14 league games.
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      But he only has two assists to show for his efforts domestically.
      His only Sevilla goal came in 3-0 Champions League win over FC Copenhagen.
      Isco’s potential departure could catch the interest of several Premier League clubs.
      Arsenal and Tottenham are among those who have been linked to the former Real Madrid man, who at his height was viewed as among Europe’s best playmakers.
      Lopetegui, now boss at Wolves, may also fancy a reunion with the no.10 at Molineux. The Spanish manager is believed to want several new faces at the club. More

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      Leicester star Caglar Soyuncu ‘is close to signing for Atletico Madrid’ in shock January transfer

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      LEICESTER star Caglar Soyuncu is edging towards a move to Atletico Madrid, according to reports. The Turkish defender is out of contract at the end of the season, leaving the midlands club vulnerable to a transfer swoop.
      Caglar Soyuncu is the latest Leicester star linked with a move awayCredit: Getty
      He has proven to be a reliable and consistent figure at the heart of the Leicester defence after moving to the King Power in 2018.
      But Soyuncu is now edging towards the exit door, according to Marca.
      The Spanish publication report that Atletico Madrid are lining up the 26-year-old for a free move when his deal expires.
      But the report adds that the Spanish club could move as soon as January if they can clear space in their squad.
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      If Atletico can shift 33-year-old defender Felipe and out-of-favour Spaniard Mario Hermaso, Marca say they will look to buy Soyuncu in the new year.
      This will require a fee but Leicester would likely have to sell the defender for less money than his worth due to his contract situation.
      Soyuncu has been a regular starter for the Foxes over the past few seasons and has often been a rock at the heart of the defence.
      He has also been a regular in the Turkish national team.
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      He is not the only talent that Leicester are clinging onto.
      Youri Tielemans’ contract also expires at the end of the season with the midfielder subject to much transfer interest.
      Arsenal and Barcelona are among the clubs interested in the Belgian.
      Leicester also lost first-choice goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel in the summer, while fans were left frustrated at the lack of incomings during the transfer window.
      The season started poorly for Brendan Rodgers’ men as they lost six of their opening seven league games.
      But their form picked up drastically and they went into the World Cup break having won four of their last five. More

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      Zinedine Zidane puts Europe’s elite on red alert with ex-Real Madrid boss ‘open to return to club management’

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      ZINEDINE ZIDANE is now open to a return to club management, according to reports.The Frenchman has been out of a job since leaving Real Madrid at the end of the 2020-21 season.
      Zinedine Zidane has been out of work for over a yearCredit: AFP
      Zidane, 50, has been heavily linked with the France job, and was previously believed to be waiting for the position to become available.
      But now that Didier Deschamps appears to be staying at the helm, Zizou may look elsewhere.
      According to L’Equipe, Zidane is now ready to temporarily shelve his desire to coach Les Bleus by looking for a new club job.
      With Deschamps, 54, potentially being handed a contract extension to the 2026 World Cup, Zidane could be available for a long-term club project after all.
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      The three-time Champions League-winning boss won’t jump into just any opportunity, however.
      He wants to return in a stable environment in a league he knows well.
      His agent Alain Migliaccio snubbed approaches from Manchester United last season, following the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
      Despite his command of English getting better, Zidane is not attracted to working in the Premier League at present.
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      Paris Saint-Germain have frequently been linked with making a move for Zizou.
      But, hailing from rival city Marseille, Zidane would prefer not to work for PSG – particularly with how the club is currently run.
      He starred for Juventus as a player between 1996 and 2001 and a return to Turin could appeal.
      But the Italian giants are currently in turmoil behind the scenes, with their entire board having resigned last month.
      Zidane revealed earlier this year that coaching remains his passion, despite over a year out of the dugout.
      He said: “Am I still able to contribute things as a coach? Yes, many things, or I think at least some.
      “I want to continue with that career because I still have the desire – it is my passion. I am 50-years-old, fulfilled, I’m happy, that’s the most important thing.” More

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      How tall is Luka Modric, how many caps does he have for Croatia, and which clubs has he played for?

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      LUKA MODRIC has been hailed as one of the best midfielders of this generation after his performances at the World Cup this summer.Despite guiding Croatia to the final in 2018 and the semi-final this year where they face Argentina TONIGHT, the 33-year-old was once considered too small and weak to be a footballer.
      Modric has previously been rejected by clubs for his small statureCredit: Getty – Contributor
      How tall is Luka Modric?
      The Croatian magician stands at 1.72m tall or 5ft 7in.
      Modric has often been labelled as being too small, including by Eastenders’ star Mick Carter, ahead of the semi-final clash against England during the World Cup.
      He was even rejected by Croatian outfit Hajduk Split for his size, before eventually signing for Dinamo Zagreb years later.
      Yet, despite his diminutive stature, Modric has used it to his advantage, becoming able to evade taller and stronger opponents with quick feet and agility.
      How many caps does Modric have for Croatia?
      Modric has won 115 caps for Croatia since making his debut against Argentina in 2006.
      He sits in second on the all-time appearance holder list for the Balkans, behind only Darijo Srna (134).
      The midfielder is also his nation’s captain, assuming the role in March 2015.
      Modric has scored 14 goals for Croatia, including one each against Nigeria and Argentina at the World Cup in Russia.
      Modric has enjoyed a trophy-laden career at Real Madrid including winning four Champions League titles and the La Liga trophyCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Modric has grown to become an indispensable player for Los Blancos as he enters his seventh season at the club this yearCredit: Getty – Contributor
      What club does Modric play for?
      The Croatia captain is currently one of Real Madrid’s biggest players, with fellow countryman Mateo Kovacic also on the books.
      Modric joined the Spanish giants in 2012 from Tottenham, having moved to London from Dinamo Zagreb four years earlier.
      He has gone onto win 13 trophies at Los Blancos, including four Champions League titles.
      His performances at Real Madrid have seen him named in the World XI on three occasions
      And he is fighting against former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah for the chance to be the Men’s Player of the Year at the Fifa The Best Awards.
      He has already collected Uefa’s crown as the best player this year, beating the Portuguese and Egyptian attackers to the title.
      Sergio Ramos, Luka Modric and Keylor Navas all scoop awards at the Champions League UEFA Awards More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo ‘leaves Real Madrid training ground after two days and flies to Dubai as he steps up new club hunt’

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO has left Real Madrid’s training ground after just two days, according to reports.And he has now flown to Dubai to step up his hunt for a new club.
      Cristiano Ronaldo has flown to Dubai after leaving Real Madrid’s training groundCredit: Rex
      Ronaldo, 37, made a shock return to the Spanish capital this week following Portugal’s World Cup exit.
      The ex-Manchester United man finds himself without a team after having his Old Trafford contract torn up.
      And former side Real were only too happy to accommodate Ronaldo at their Valdebebas training ground – four-and-a-half years after his move to Juventus.
      But it’s reckoned Real have no interest in making a move for their leading all-time scorer.
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      And DAZN claims Ronaldo has now jetted to Dubai on a private jet to step up his search for a new club.
      The veteran is reportedly hoping to join a Champions League side as he seeks further glory at Europe’s top table.
      But despite links with Chelsea and Bayern Munich, Ronaldo is yet to receive an offer from one of the continent’s giants.
      Instead, the most concrete offer on the table comes from the Middle East.
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      Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr are believed to have offered Ronnie a staggering £173million-a-year contract.
      And should a deal be struck, he would become the world’s best-paid athlete in the process.
      Ronaldo’s international future is a lot clearer though, with the striker telling Portugal chiefs he has no intention of retiring.
      Boss Fernando Santos has been sacked after dropping Ronaldo for Portugal’s final two World Cup games.
      And a potential reunion with Jose Mourinho could now be on the cards, with the Roma chief tempted by the prospect of managing the Italians and his country simultaneously. More

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      Samuel Eto’o reveals Lionel Messi thanked him for career-saving advice which fixed issues as a Barcelona starlet

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      FORMER Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o has revealed Lionel Messi thanked him for a piece of career-changing advice in his early days at the Nou Camp.The pair played together at the LaLiga giants for six years between the Argentine’s 2003 debut and Eto’o’s 2009 departure for Inter Milan.
      Samuel Eto’o helped Lionel Messi with ‘career-changing’ adviceCredit: AP:Associated Press
      And while many tipped the diminutive, fleet-footed young Messi for greatness from an early stage, Eto’o has revealed that his former team-mate felt indebted to his crucial advice.
      The 41-year-old told DAZN: “[Messi] confessed to me that, thanks to my advice, which I am not going to reveal, his career had changed.
      “One day he said: ‘Thanks to Samuel, my career changed’.
      “He had to fix two or three things but he has always had the talent.
      “I am proud and happy to see that he has written history which has yet to be finished, and it will be very difficult to beat what he has written.”
      It was a poorly kept secret of the early-noughties at La Masia that they had quite the special talent on their hands, with Eto’o admitting all of Frank Rijkaard’s first-team stars knew that Messi, now 35, would be special.
      Eto’o continued: “He was going up and down from La Masia to the first team.
      “We already knew that one day Messi was going to be what he is.
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      “I am happy because he has made it in the end, thanks to himself.
      “He showed me that nothing has changed. He is still the good person I met.”
      The pair won two Champions League titles as team-mates, with Eto’o man-of-the-match in their 2006 final triumph over Arsenal – and both getting on the scoresheet in the 2-0 victory over Manchester United in Rome three years later.
      Eto’o enjoyed more success with Inter after leaving the Nou Camp, before later representing Anzhi Makhachkala, Chelsea and Everton among others, be finally hanging up his boots in 2019.
      Messi, meanwhile, continued to go strong at Barcelona until last year – when he had to leave the grossly mismanaged club for Paris Saint-Germain.
      The duo enjoyed a wildly successful stint as team-mates before Eto’o’s 2009 Camp Nou departure More

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      Jose Mourinho ignores Cristiano Ronaldo AND Lionel Messi in GOAT debate and picks Brazilian Ronaldo as the best

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO and Lionel Messi come second-best to Ronaldo Nazario in Jose Mourinho’s ranking of the best-ever footballers.The Roma boss worked with Ronaldo during his single season at Barcelona, helping Sir Bobby Robson’s side win the Copa del Rey, Cup Winners’ Cup and Supercopa de Espana.
      Mourinho (left) helped coach Ronaldo in his year at BarcelonaCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      The Spurs boss has also worked with Cristiano Ronaldo, but not MessiCredit: AFP – Getty
      Only 19 when he joined from PSV Eindhoven, the Brazilian forward wowed Mourinho as he hit 47 goals in 49 games for the Catalans – earning him the Ballon d’Or with a season tally he would never better.
      Mourinho told LiveScore, via Corriere dello Sport, that Nazario was: “The best football player that I have ever seen on a pitch.
      “I think injuries killed a career that could have been even more incredible.
      “But that talent this guy had at 19 years old was something incredible.”
      Injuries took their toll on Ronaldo while he was also known for a lavish party lifestyle.
      Knee problems first sprung up in the Netherlands before two consecutive world record transfer deals brought him to Inter Milan.
      In his third season with the Italian club, he severely ruptured cruciate ligaments in his knee and he was ruled out for effectively three years.
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      Bouncing back to fire Brazil to the 2002 World Cup, Ronaldo turned from a speedy dribbler to a deadly poacher and signed for Real Madrid, where he won his second Ballon d’Or.
      Mourinho recognises that the striker lacked the longevity of both Ronaldo and Messi, but believes he was the better natural talent.
      The 59-year-old added: “Not with a career like Cristiano or Messi, 15 years at the top – every day.
      “But a natural talent, incredible.” More